On Saturday, August 27, 2016 at Gary-Chicago Airport in Gary, Ind., the Chicago “DODO” chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen will host the 75th Anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen Experience, and the 40th anniversary of its Chicago chapter from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the B. Coleman Aviation Facility, 4701 Airport Road in Gary.
Considered an “experiment” by the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941, the Tuskegee Airmen formed the first African-American air squadron in U.S. history, training at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. The heroic Tuskegee Airmen not only included pilots, navigators, and bombardiers, but also skilled maintenance workers, ground crews, sup- port staff, and other personnel who kept the planes in the air during World War II.
The Chicago “DODO” chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen invites families, community members, students and more to come out and make this historic event an unforgettable celebration of their extraordinary legacy.
General admission tickets are $75 per person and include: dinner by Rome’s Joy Catering, entertainment by comedian Mom’s Maybe, saxophonist Lady Sax, and music by DJ Big E. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to view the Young Eagles (children 8-17) aircraft display, participate in memorabilia book and autograph signings by original Tuskegee Airmen, as well as a silent auction. Tickets may be purchased at http://bit.ly/2amRuZy.
Dr. Bill Winston, the senior pastor of Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Ill., will give the invocation at the opening of the celebration. Dr. Winston, who grew up in Tuskegee, Alabama, was greatly influenced by the many Tuskegee Airmen who surrounded him during his youth. Following in their footsteps, Winston would later serve six years as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, and was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross and The Air Medal for his extraordinary achievements in aerial combat.
For more information, visit http://www.taichicago.org/.
